What is this Mandolin?

[pmblues]

My friend showed me this mandolin. It has F-39 stamped inside one of the F-Holes. The finish has no age checking, and looks more like polyester than laquer. Too smooth. Anyone got any insight? I can only post five pictures here, but there's 23 pictures at http://s1094.photobucket.com/albums/i443/bluespm/ Thanks Paul
http://s1094.photobucket.com/albums/i443/bluespm/?action=view&current=GibMando.jpg http://s1094.photobucket.com/albums/i443/bluespm/?action=view&current=GibMando16.jpg http://s1094.photobucket.com/albums/i443/bluespm/?action=view&current=GibMando-1.jpg http://s1094.photobucket.com/albums/i443/bluespm/?action=view&current=GibMando8.jpg http://s1094.photobucket.com/albums/i443/bluespm/?action=view&current=GibMando19.jpg

[Schlegel]

Harmony, I would say, not a Gibson.

[mrmando]

Yep. It's a Harmony (a Monterey, methinks) made in fall 1939 (that's what F-39 stands for). The Gibson logo and strap button were added much later. The maple figure on the back is fake.

[MikeEdgerton]

It is a Harmony as Martin and Schlegel have stated, it was made in 1939 but the F stands for First half, as in first half of the year. The models marked S that we always thought stood for Summer stands for Second half. That information came from a gentleman that worked at Harmony.

[Bill Snyder]

Doubt it has a polyester finish.